Balloon Boy Just A Load Of Hot Gas!

Colorado police say they have evidence that the parents of a boy mistakenly believed to have been carried away by a helium balloon are guilty of a hoax.

At a news conference, Sheriff Jim Alderden said: "They put on a very good show for us, and we bought it."

The balloon would not have been able to carry the weight of six-year-old Falcon Heene, he added.
The boy was feared to have been in a weather balloon which flew away on Thursday, but was later found safe at home.

Sheriff Alerden said police will recommend Richard Heene and his wife face charges including conspiracy, contributing to the deliquency of a minor and false reporting to the authorities.
The Heenes, who live in Fort Collins, are expected to speak to journalists later.

The disappearance of their son Falcon became a media drama that gripped the nation.
However, suspicions were aroused when he was asked on TV why he had stayed hidden and he replied: "We did this for a show".

Falcon and his two brothers and his parents have given numerous TV interviews.

His father has repeatedly insisted his son's disappearance was not staged.
Richard Heene and his wife have previously appeared on the reality TV show Wife Swap, leading to speculation they were seeking publicity.

US news networks devoted hours of live coverage to the drama after it was reported the boy might be in a balloon floating high over Colorado.

When the aircraft landed in fields there was no trace of him, prompting a major ground search and increasing fears for his safety.

It was later announced he had been found alive and well in an attic at his family's home.